The Mad Genealogist

Yeah, I’m still waiting for my upgrade. Here’s a clue for Ancestry.com, when you were preparing to send out the emails to the FTM 2008 users, you should have anticipated and counted how many emails and people upgrading that there would be. Very poor planning. Looks like they got us again on this one.

Well, I’ve received my ‘free’ (had to pay for postage) version of FTM 2009 (UK). It loaaded with problems, but I got there in the end. I am using Windows Vista OS. My last hurdle is to register my new software, however, although I’ve follord the instructions precisely, I keep getting an error message which reads ‘Registration server error’ . I still have FTM 2008 loaded, which works, but I’m reluctant to remove it. Has anyone else had this problem and found a solution? Help??!

My new FTM 2009 was installed on my laptop with Windows Vista Home, When I used the Charts & Report after a while I get a message “Family Tree Maker 2009 (not responding) closing the program an other message “Checking for solution for this problem” then the program shuts down. What is the problem Windows Vista or the program FTM 2009? Can anyone help me on this problem. Sent messages to FTM but they are not responding…?
Thank you

Getting the same problem. Sent an email today so will see how long it takes for a response.

I ordered and received the FTM 2009. I am running a new computer with windows Vista OS 64bit. FTM doesn’t work eventhough the help at Ancestry.com says it is fully compatible with Vista. It kept giving me the message that the program didn’t shut down properly the last time it was open and had to close. Also states that windows will look for a solution and notify me when one is found. The program was never opened once since I installed it, so I have no idea what this statement means. I got a second disk from Ancestry.com and the same problem happened. I tried doing all the different things suggested on the website to solve the problems with FTM 2009. I even tried doing what the support technicians suggested. None of those suggestions worked either. I’m thoroughly disgusted with FTM 2009. I am sending all of it back and asking for my money back. Don’t buy the FTM 2009. It doesn’t work. I don’t think it’s Vista. My FTM version 11.0 works fine on Vista, although the pdf functions don’t work. Guess I’ll use it or look for something else.

I had no trouble getting my absolutely free version of 2009. Yes, the first email link was a problem, but the second was just fine. I don’t really recall waiting long at all for it. I didn’t pay any postage, either. I use it both on my desktop with XP and on my laptop with Vista. It works great with both. I have not had any difficulty with 2009 (or 2008!). I have been using versions of FTM since 2000. The ability to merge records right into your tree with 2009 is very easy and so helpful. I am very pleased with it.

I bought family tree maker 2009 month before last and have sent numerous requests to their “help” center without a single reply.
I receive the error “unable to connect to the server” or just get dumped to their add page.
Has anyone else had luck with them or am I wasting my time?

I WAS (past tense) a faithful FTM user upgrading every version from V4 to 16. As a 2008 version Beta Tester, I could not even convert my file. Of course the response I got is was that it was my files issue – too many photos.

I have been watching Ancestry deal with the 2008 and now the 2009 version. It is amusing and sad to say the least. I was one of the lucky ones who wasn’t able to upgrade. Those that have upgraded are stuck with the Ancestry ‘comedy of errrors.’

My advise is to find another program or use v16 and get back to doing genealogy rather than spending time trying to get the lipstick on the Ancestry pig.

It did take me several tries to finally order my upgrade…which was a surprise because I also thought it would be an online upgrade with software following. Oh well!

I have my 2009 installed on XP, Vista, and Vista 64-bit and it works just fine on all of them. I get of a couple errors on occasion, one of which is the “did not shutdown properly” error. Fortunately, these don’t happen often enough to frustrate me.

My BIGGEST complaint is that is takes FOREVER (!) to open. I usually check my email while waiting. I don’t think it’s due to the size of my file because I work on several family files of different sizes and they open slowly, too.

If I get too frustrated with FTM, I usually end up exporting my file to a GEDCOM and importing into my Legacy software which appears to be more reliable.

I have had the same response – the software suddenly stopped working and I got the response that Microsoft would look for a solution. I emailed ancestry.com and the website said that I would get a response within 24 hours… now only 28 hours later I haven’t gotten a response. I thought that after using TMG that this software looked ‘prettier” and for $29.95 looked to be a good value – guess that I was wrong

I have similar problems. I’ve been a loyal user since the first versions and won’t go near this product again, back to version 16! The interface is cluttered and shows less meaningful info. This might be OK for someone just getting started, or who wants to keep a limited number of people with limited information. As a sophisticated user with deep and detailed research in my FTM files, FTM 2009 isn’t doing the job.

Hi,
As I followed the conversation, I am sure not to step into the beartrap again. I tried upgrading once from V16 to 2008 and failed miserably, and downgrading is not an option. I lost 16.000 records, and still have to rearrange data from my previous crash. So much for 2008. For the 2009 version, i’d be happy if the features that were so reliable in previous versions would finally get back into the new versions, cause i hate not having the right searchviews. I don’t know about the features this one holds, but I’m not even getting close to find it out.

I attended a monthly genealogical meeting in Waupaca, Wisconsin on Saturday, April 11, 2009 and the concensus of the group was that the 2008, 2009 versions of Family Tree Maker were not worth buying. Both versions are difficult to use. A good sourcing method is a major need for any genealogist and Family Tree Maker’s sourcing is confusing at best. It appears there is a sequencing to entering sources, but the help screens are not clear. I’ve made some mistakes entering sources and want to get rid of them, but the help screens are not clear as to how to get rid of one occurrence.

I will be going back to my old version on my laptop and will not buy another FTM package, or recommend it to anyone, until I hear that they have made substantive changes making it the software I’d come to love over the last 15 years. I’ve used and recommended this software to many people, but a “friendly” software it is no longer. We want our old, dependable software back!!!!!

Jean Spiegelberg

Hi, I have been a strong supporter of FTM 2005 and upgrade to 2009 in January. On XP it runs well including all charts and reports but on Vista (on my laptop) it bagan working OK but after about 3 weeks suddenly died if I tried to use Charts/ Reports publishing function. As I was travelling and visiting folks I had met during family tree research – it was very frustrating. Seen lots of comments on these problems with Vista – has anyone seen a solution yet?

I also have used FTM since it initially came on the market. I recently upgraded from FTM 16 to FTM 2009. Fortunately, I kept my final FTM V16 files which I may go back to.
It is obvious no one gave any thought to importing previous versions of FTM, other than FTM 2008, into FTM 2009. I agree with the comments on sourcing, and wish to add another significant problem. After importing my FTN V16 file into FTM 2009, I found that locations were also a problem. The developers of FTM 2009 assume that everyone wants to spell out each state, rather than utilize the standard State Abbreviations, and also add “USA” to each State entry, With 20,000+ name entries and over 600,000 Facts
(from FTN 16), that would significantly increase the size of my file and, at the same time, add useless information. FTM 2009 does not recognize such common placenames as “Arizona Territory”, Oklahoma Territory”, or “Utah Territory.” There are others, but the point is FTM 2009 tries to turn these territories into States. On many Europen/Pacific locations, it does not recognize the placename and treats the entry as an error. The same is true for USA placenames. I have many ancestors who lived in Philipstown, Putnam Co, NY, but it treated these entries as an error because the FTM 2009 spelling is “Phillipstown” (two l’s)- which is in error. For many of California Twons in the late 1800′s,e arly 1900′s (such as Township 4, Inyo Co, CA, Township 26, Inyo Co, CA, etc.), FTM 2009 does not recognize the Townships and tags it as an error.
True, all these placenames/locations can be corrected with the “Resolve all Place Names” tool. I had over 14,500 place name errors and it took me many, many , many hours to resolve the entries. FTM 2009 also takes the “Description” (from Fact entries) from FTM V16 and reads it as a “place name”. Consequently, these entries also have to be corrected by the user.

I agree with all the comments above and after several months am finally ready to give up on 2009.

Have been using and upgrading every version of FTM since 1992. Read the reviews on 2008 and figured they were fixed for 2009 so finally jumped in – stupidly without checking user comments such as this board. Have been working with 2009 for a few months and continue to be incredibly frustrated and features that I loved that are missing from 2009 – too many to detail here and continuing to find more. The lack of ability to customize defaults properly is an ongoing frustration. Also, for some reason, reports selectively do not include my husband, although everyone else’s spouses seem to be there. He appears in certain reports and not others. Trying to import the books I had saved in earlier versions has been a disaster.

I would like to return to v.16 or use some other software – which I am so reluctant to do after being an 17-year FTM devotee. Does anyone know if I export to a GED file, will all my info/notes/facts be properly exported, and can I easily import them into the old version or a new program?

Thanks.

In addition to my comments above, I finally realized why my husband is not appearing in reports – I have no children. It seems that NO spouses are appearing in Genealogy Reports/Register Reports if there are no children from that marriage! The spouses do appear in Descendant Charts however.

If an individual has children from a prior (or other marriage), the childless spouse does appear in reports from that person’s ancestral line, but does not appear in reports from the childless person’s ancestral line.

This is a shocking and terrible problem in FTM 2009 and was not a problem in pre-2008 versions which printed all marriages and facts by default.

It’s like our marriages don’t count and aren’t worth including in the reports. How can I share reports wiwth family members? They will think I didn’t properly record the data on their family.

Is anyone else finding this problem? Is it fixable?

I have been struggling with this 2009 version and find it to be very difficult to use. I wish I had stuck to my 2005 version – with that I knew exactly what I was doing. This 09 version has put me off genealogy now.

After the initial reviews and complaints with FTM2008, I have written and advised people to go no higher than FTM V16. 2008 and now 2009 are not satisfactory as far as I am concerned. Their bundling is just another way to increase the cash cow. I wouldn’t recommend the newer FTM versions to my worse enemy.

I would like to thank The Mad Genealogist and everyone who took the trouble to write in about how miserable they are with FTM 2009. I got a promotional email ($30, not free) expiring June 22, 2009 and was considering it, but nevermind!

I have FTM 11.0 and I guess I’ll stick with that… forever, even though it is clunky in some ways and I can’t show siblings in descendancy charts. But I won’t risk losing my data set just for that.

Having done no research,my fault,I purchased FTM 2009. Although quite a change from earlier versions, it was OK, then came the dreaded upgrades! Big mistake. Ever since my screen goes black for 20% on the right whenever FTM is opened including all other applications. FTM has offered no solution. I’m going back to 2006 version on my old computer since I have huge files to view and print. Most unhappy with FTM.

I HAD to buy 2009 because my laptop died and I had no hard copy of the FTM2005 I was using. Tech support told me they don’t have any more copies of 2005, so now I am looking for a copy of FTM2005 to put back on my laptop. I will be asking for my money back for 2009. Right now I am using PAF as a temporary fix.

@Suzanne
Hi
Can you contact me on the above address

Ted (au)

I like a lot of others have FTM 2008 (V 17) & have been incontact with Ancestry about the problems that are associated with this version EG:- cannot publish from the program,will not copy with gedcom etc.
They have replied to the effect–uninstall & reinstall that will fix the problem ??

I do hav ver 11 & 2005 & find both these are Ok :,so will be sticking with them until Ancestry fix the problems
In the mean time am stuck with a “faulty” version that appears to be a frisby

Ted (au)

An FTM devotee since 1992 I am now running FTM 2009 with the latest update on a laptop with Vista 32-bit installed. I’m having lots of crashes. Something is screwy. In all these years and many versions I have seldom had a problem with FTM until now. Not good.

It’s so nice to see that I’m not the only one having problems. I’ve had my program die on me several times after telling me it didn’t shut down properly last time. My husband even uninstalled and reinstalled the software a couple of times; still it doesn’t work right! I’ve spent the last two days trying to generate reports and cannot begin to get what I want. Very frustrating when I’m trying to get this together and publish it online for my family to see!
I’ve been using FTM since the early 90′s! I’ve never been so frustrated; I think it’s time to find a new program!

Wow! you people are scaring me. I am using version 4.0 and won’t upgrade. I can’t seem to be able to save as a Gedcom and only a .FBK FILE. I almost sent in to buy the 2009 version, but after reading all of the statement about it, decided to not upgrade. Thanks for all the emails that guided me.

I do not like to 2009 Family TreeMaker .. to date I’ve note been able to find much on it .. screens are way TOO busy .. but with very little vital information. I think I may just UNinstall it and go back to 2005.

I really hate FTM2009. It is cumbersome and definitely not user friendly. Maybe for a person who does not care about the quality of their info but when it keeps linking to things and changing data without you realising it makes a mockery of years of work. I can’t go back to my old version but I really wish my old PC with V11 on it hadn’t died. My new PC with Vista just would not load the old version. I think I am going to try another company.

I’m new to the genealogy research thing so last Xmas I received the FTM 2009 program as a gift. I am having the same problems mentioned above. When I am trying to use the Edit: Find Duplicate person function the program shuts down after looking at 2-5 people. I am so frustrated. Since I’ve not been at this very long, I would appreciate recommendations for other programs that would be more user friendly. If this wasn’t a gift, I’d take it back to the store for a refund.

Too bad. I was getting sick of FTM ’08 crashing and crashing (and then telling me the file is still in use so that I couldn’t reuse it… grrrrrr) that I was really hoping FTM 2009 would be much better. Sounds like it’s not. Why did Ancestry have to go screw with a good thing?

@Carl Sprouse
Did you ever resolve this issue and how…. I have the same problem. Thanks

Thanks to all who have educated me–at least I am reassured that the problems I’m encountering with FTM 2008 are not unique to me. My daughter gave me the 2008 version last year. I have resumed researching and upgrading my family trees after a long hiatus. FTM has been destroyed by corporate greed, I fear. “New! and Improved” is a hoax. Tasks that used to be straightforward and simple have become unduly complex and errors especially in naming are ineradicable.

I do have my old 2005 discs–but the thought of all that data re-entry makes me very tired.

There must be some better genealogy software around, somewhere. Any recommendations?

I have not any problem working with family tree maker 2009. In first email link there was a problem, but another was perfect. I did not pay any extra fee. I use this software with Vista on my PC. It works well. I am using FTM versions since 5 years. Its ability to merge records right into your tree with latest 2009 version is really helpful.

Thanks & Regards
Cadie

@Suzanne
Marcia, Try going to Ebay to look for the version you need. I too was happy with my older version, and was told it was no longer available. I didn’t find it on my first try, but I saved the search and had them email me anytime a product was mentioned with the words “Family Tree Maker”. I was able to get the installation CD that I wanted for about $5.

I had to upgrade to FTM 2009 a few months ago because my old computer died. I cannot adequately express how much I hate FTM 2009. There are so many flaws and glitches it is just impossible to explain them all. It seems like the programmers know nothing about genealogy and have no idea what users are looking for. Among other things, spouses’ parents don’t show up and spouses don’t show up at all unless there are children. This makes the genealogy reports completely unusable from my perspective. This is far and away the WORST family tree program I have ever seen. Does anyone know if these problems are fixed in FTM 2010? Because I am ready to drop FTM altogether after more than a decade of loyal use.

I am very interested in all the comments since I assumed I was at fault for all the problems I am having with 2009FTM. Is there a fix with an upgade? Is 2010 working or not working?

I am using Family Tree Maker Version 16 and after two years of working perfectly the program has decided to tell me it has been improperly shutdown and a C++ runtime error has been generated to terminate the program. Very frustrating and not real happy with the tech support. I am rethinking my potential upgrade now. Does anyone know of a fix for this? I have tried the reinstall, but no help.

I do not like the 2009 version of FTM at ALL! It is not as simple and easy to work with as the old version and I haven’t been able to formulate a family picture album as yet and I’ve had it for 4 months. The lady who created this monstrosity has messed up a good thing. I’m trying to find an old version to purchase and install.

Can anyone tell me if FTM 16 will read my FTM 10 files? I’ll stay away from 2008 & 09
as most are doing but I’ve upgraded to Win 7 which doesn’t like FTM 10. Since v. 16
has a patch that allows it to run in Vista, it will probably run in Win 7 since Win 7 is
basically an upgraded version of Vista. Also, will I loose the great interface I have in
v 10 when I upgrade to v 16?

I was just wondering, I have never got my free upgrade for my 2009 Family Tree Maker.
Will I ever get it?